New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera: La Grande duchesse de Gérolstein

“The “Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein” proved her power of attraction last evening in the German language at this place, as her Highness was wont to do at the French theatre when she made her first appearance before a republican audience. And it is not too much to say that in Miss Elsa Chorherr the love-stricken sovereign has as good a representative as in Miss Tostée. Mr. Guthery as General Boum has less brusqueness of manner than Mr. Duchesne, in consequence of which he may be considered an improvement. Prince Paul, however, was less a success; for Mr. Fritz failed in that delicacy of action and comicality for which the Prince of Mr. Leduc was so famous. But the whole stage arrangements, in point of outlay and completeness, costumes and scenery, were so unusual to the customary practice at this house that the audience, which crowded every seat, was quite agreeably disappointed, and cheered the management. Miss Chorherr was lavishly rewarded with bouquets and called before the curtain after every act. How it came that in this Offenbach burlesque a waltz from Gounod’s ‘Faust’ was interpolated at the opening of the fourth act the management has to answer for. Yet, in general, this first representation of the ‘Grande Duchess’ was a success. It will be repeated every night this week.”